Hornets & David Lee

The New York Post is reporting that the New York Knicks are looking for a point guard in a sign and trade deal for center David Lee.

Lee is a double-double machine who’s had a tough time finding offers as a restricted free agent.  The former Florida Gator cannot get a fair contract because teams are afraid that the Knicks will match any offer they make to Lee.

So, if the Knicks decide to trade Lee and they are looking for a point guard in return why not call the Hornets?

The Hornets can offer a veteran point guard, a veteran wing player and give the Knicks tremendous salary relief for the 2010 free agent bonanza. 

TRADE:

David Lee for Antonio Daniels & Rasual Butler (the Hornets could also throw in a 1st round pick to sweeten the deal if needed).

The big question for New York is:  Would the Knicks take average veteran players for an up and coming front line all star?

The Knicks are trying to stock-pile money in an attmept to land Lebron and perhaps even Chris Bosh in 2010…and Daniels and Butler are servicable players with expiring contracts (Daniels $6.5 million, Butler $3.5 million). 

The big question for the cash strapped Hornets is:  Can they trade Tyson Chandler to make room for Lee and would the Hornets want to take on a contract that adds to their already hefty payroll?  Maybe if the Hornets could give Tyson Chandler to the Pistons for a trade exception (The same way Denver gave Marcus Camby to the Clippers last year) this deal could happen.

But, if the Hornets can’t dump salary their is no way they’d take on another big contract. 

Just a thought.

Realistic Hornets Deals

I’ll have some more trade ideas for the Hornets in a bit….crazy trades for guys like Lamar Odom and David Lee…but being nearly $18 million dollars over the dreaded NBA luxury tax means the Hornets probably will DO NOTHING this offseason.

Expect the Hornets to wait and see what free agent players get shut out of big money in free agency and then try to sign one or two of those guys cheap…Drew Gooden is a guy to keep and eye on. 

That said, the team will enter the 2009-2010 season with tons of question marks and the potential to be really good or really bad.

The Hornets can be really good if:

Tyson Chandler is healthy and productive and forgives the team for trying to trade him several time.

If Peja Stojakovic proves last year was a fluke and returns to scoring 17-20 points a night.

If Rasual Butler plays at the same level or better than he did last season when he averaged a career high 11 points per game.

If the Hornets luck out and find a free agent big man (like Gooden) who comes in motivated and plays well.

If rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton help a woeful bench.

If 3rd year pro Julian Wright finally emerges into a consistent player in this league.

The Hornets can be really bad if:

Tyson Chandler is injured and cannot forgive the franchise for trying to trade him several times.

If Peja Stojakovis is truly on the down-side of his career and cannot play due to injury or be productive due to age.

If Rasual Butler’s great season was a fluke.

If the Hornets cannot find front court help better than Sean Marks and Hilton Armstrong then the Hornets could be even worse on the boards than they were last year!

If rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton cannot find time in Byron Scott’s rotation and rot on the bench.

If Julian Wright continues to be inconsistent.

Rudy Rudy Rudy

At the beach in Destin for the 4th (too crowded!!!) so I’ve got to make this quick.

Hedo Turkoglu has signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.  The signing of the Turkish star has reportedly really upset Spanish star Rudy Fernandez…Fernandez may now ask for a trade.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Hornets…do whatever it take to get this young star.  CP3 and DWest would have a tremendous running mate in Fernandez.

The Hornets New Center???

Look, it’s no secret that the Hornets are in an unenvious position. 

Right now they’re about $18 million dollars over the projected NBA luxury tax…meaing the team has very very little cash (if any at all) available for free agents.

The Hornets also have arguably the worst front court bench players in the NBA.  So how will they get better?

The club will have to be creative and hopefully find a diamond in the rough.

That said, I couldn’t help but notice that on the Hornets summer league roster are two very interesting big men.  A pair of 7-footers that could both be on the team this season. 

Former Harvard star Brian Cusworth who’s been playing in Europe and University of Utah big man Luke Nevill…a 7′2 Australian who many were surprised was not taken in the NBA draft last week (the knock on Nevill is that he’s super soft….something that won’t sit well with Byron Scott). 

It’s just my opinion but I believe both of these players are going to get a very long look from Byron Scott and Jeff Bower.  If either can play at all I’d expect thay’d both be signed to replace Sean Marks and Melvin Ely.  Both Cusworth and Nevill would be much cheaper and as young players probably have more upside than both Marks and Ely.

Cusworth played in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League in 2007 with Golden State but did not get a contract offer from the Warriors…but just by looking at the video I found of Cusworth it seems the Hornets may have unearthed a player ready for the NBA!!!!

BRIAN CUSWORTH:

7′0, 255 LBS.

25 YEARS OLD

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

 

 

LUKE NEVILL

7′2, 265 LBS.

23 YEARS OLD

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

    

And quickly…with the Hornets having very little money here is a recap of the budget conscious moves I’d try to make if I ran the team:

1. Sign restricted free agent Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis to the full mid-level exception (roughly 5 years/$25 million dollars).  Boston is reportedly close to signing Rasheed Wallace so the Cletics probably will not match a huge offer like this to Davis. 

2. Sign restricted free agent Pops Mensah-Bonsu to the bi-annual exception (roughly 2 years/$4 million dollars)

3.  Trade Peja Stojakovic To the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Camby. (The deal works under NBA trade rules, helps both clubs on the court and amazingly saves the Hornets 5 million dollars!).

{UPDATE: AT 9PM CENTRAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT THE CLIPPERS ARGEED TO SEND ZACH RANDOLPH TO MEMPHIS FOR QUENTIN RICHARDSON…MEANING THE CLIPPERS ARE KEEPING CAMBY…SO THIS TRADE CANNOT HAPPEN!}

4.  Trade Julian Wright to the Phoenix Suns for Matt Barnes.

5.  Trade Hilton Armstrong to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to Ersan Ilyasova (Ilyasova will probably remain in Europe for another season which will allow him to build confidence.  Couple trading Hilton with Ilyasova staying over seas and the Hornets save another $3 million dollars by not filling that roster spot this year). 

6.  Trade Tyson Chandler & Devin Brown to the Phoenix Suns for Ben Wallace (This move is a salary dump because Wallace will retire.  His full salary will count against the luxury tax but the Hornets will recoup millions by buying him out).

Fixing The Hornets

With NBA free agency starting this week it’s time for Hornets Coach Byron Scott and General Manager Jeff Bower to make arguably their most important deals since they took the reigns of this franchise.

In less than 12 months the Hornets have gone from darlings of the NBA…a team many predicted would push the Lakers for suprememcy in the Western Conference…to a club that experts are now saying will be lucky to finish in the 6th, 7th or 8th playoff spot in the west.

 The Hornets age, injuries, lack of consistency, failure to develop young players and absymal performance against Denver in the post season are the reasons people are questioning this club.

Personally, I’m kind of torn.  I still see glimpses of the team that finished 2nd in the Western Conference and nearly advanced to the conference finals in 2008…but it’s hard to overlook how bad certain players played and how bad the team looked in the second half of 2009. 

 So how does this team get better?

The draft was a good start.  Getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison will take some of the burden off Chris Paul. 2nd round pick Marcus Thornton should provide offensive punch off the bench.

But two rookies alone ain’t gonna get it done…so how do the cash strapped Hornets…a team over the dreaded NBA luxury tax for 2009-2010 get better and make a deep run into the post season?

They’re certainly not going to sign Ron Artest, Shawn Marion or Carlos Boozer…..or trade for a guy like Corey Maggette.  I’d love for the team to go after a big time all star but realistically it’s not going to happen.  I’ll hope for a miracle but I won’t be waiting for Byron Scott and Jeff Bower to deliver one.

The philospohy for f ixing this team may sound easy…but it’s not:  make smart, forward-thinking moves.

Organizations like San Antonio always seem to be one step in front of everyone else.  They draft unknown European players that turn into superstars (Parker, Ginobili), they sign cheap free agents that produce big (Mason Jr.), and they develop young players (Hill, Bonner).

The Hornets seem to make moves that are one step behind everyone else.  Moves that show no vision…that make people yawn!  Afraid to be visionaries who set the bar the Hornets have settled for drafting players like Hilton Armstrong and Julian Wright and signing free agents like James Posey and Morris Peterson.  All safe, predictable moves but moves that have not paid off for the organization.

So this offseason I beg the Hornets heirarchy to make bold moves that help this team on the court! (a bold draft move would have been taking French combo guard Nando De Colo instead of Marcus Thornton in the 2nd round like I suggested….but the Spurs grabbed De Colo instead).

So what in my opinion are some bold moves ?

Bold Move #1:

Trade Peja Stojakovic to the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Camby.

The Clippers have too many front court players and need to make a move.  On top of Camby the Clips also have Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph and super draft pick Blake Griffin.  Camby is the most likely to be moved.

Camby would be a great fit for the rebounding-challenged Hornets plus he’s got an expiring contract. 

Peja lends veteran leadership and outside shooting to a team that was relying heavily on guys like Steve Novak to knock down clutch 3’s last season.   

This deal makes too much sense for each team not to do it!

Bold  Move #2:

 

Sign restricted free agent Pops Mensah-Bonsu away from the Toronto Raptors.

Mensah-Bonsu is a super athletic but undersized center who could provide the Hornets with energy off the bench.  Born in London, Mensah-Bonsu led The George Washinton University to the NCAA torunament a few years ago.  The Toronto Raptors would probably not match a 2 year $4 million dollar offer to the 25 year old Mensah-Bonsu.

Bold Move #3:

 

Trade Julian Wright To Phoenix For Matt Barnes.

Barnes is the player Wright is supposed to be.  A guy who can play shooting guard, small forward or power forward….a player who slashes but can also knock down a jumper and a guy who’s tough on defense.  I loved Matt Barnes in the post season when I saw him play for Golden State a few years back and think he’d be a great addition for the Hornets.  Barnes is the best bargain in the NBA!  The Suns are in full rebuild mode and in Wright they’d get a young athletic player with upside.    

Bold Move #4:

Trade Hilton Armstrong to the Milaukee Bucks for restricted free agent Ersan Ilyasova.

Ilyasova was at one time considered the best prospect in Europe.  He’s still only 21 and looking for a return to the NBA.  Google his name….every scout can’t be wrong…the guy has got ability and probably just needed to mature.  With Andrew Bogut coming off an injury and Milwaukee refusing to re-sign free agent Charlie Villanueva the Bucks could use front court depth and Hilton Armstrong could use a change of scenery.    

Bold Move #5:

Trade Tyson Chandler & Devin Brown to Phoenix for Ben Wallace. 

Chandler cannot return to the Hornets. The team traded him last February only to see the deal with Oklahoma City recinded.  Last week it was reported the Hornets were close to moving Tyson to Cleveland….that deal fell through when Shaq was traded to the Cavs.

Byron Scott can say all he wants that trade rumors don’t affect a player and that Tyson will be back….but Scott is wrong.  Bridges have been burned between TC and the Hornets and those bridges will not be repaired. 

Chandler, if healthy, gives the Suns an athletic big man to help rebuild around…Devin Brown makes the deal work money-wise.

The Hornets get Big Ben’s bad contract and workout some type of retirement buy-out for the former all star.

Bold Move #6:

 

Sign restricted free agent Glen Davis away from Boston at any cost!!!

I know the Hornets are cash strapped and over the luxury tax but this player is worth the money.  It’s expected Davis will get a contract valued at between $3-$5 million annually.  The Hornets should be the team that signs him to an offer sheet.  The Celtics probably will not match.

Davis gives the Hornets a player that can back up David West and perhaps even start at center.  A local product who’ll be a larger than life fan favorite and a guy who’s battle tested in the post season.  

Bold Move #7:

 

Sign free agents Sean Marks and Robert Swift.

 
Marks played well enough in the playoffs last season for the Hornets to earn another contract with the club (and that contract will be for the veteran minimum).  Swift is a former lottery pick who will only get the veteran minimum salary after several serious injuries.  Swift is just 23 years old so if he recovers he could become a solid back-up player and a steal for the bargain hunting Hornets.   

Fletcher’s 2009-2010 Hornets Roster:

1.  Chris Paul (Darren Collison, Antonio Daniels)

2.  Rasual Butler (Marcus Thornton, Morris Peterson)

3.  Matt Barnes or Irsan Ilyasova (James Posey)

4.  David West (Glen Davis, Sean Marks) 

5.  Marcus Camby (Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Robert Swift)

I think this roster makes the Hornets a much better team.  They’re no longer an army of two (CP3 and D-West).  This roster gives the team balance and depth.   

Also, the Hornets get tremendous salary flexibility after this season.  The contracts of Wallace, Camby, Daniels and Butler come off the books (over $25 million total) allowing the Hornets to possibly pursue one of the big name free agents who’ll hit the market in 2010.

Onion Sports Network / Pre-Game Coin Toss Makes Jaguars Realize Randomness Of Life

Hilarious Stuff!!!!!

 

 

 

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/pre_game_coin_toss_makes

Hornets Selling Draft Pick?

Hey Hornets fans…don’t get your hopes up when it comes to seeing former LSU Tiger Marcus Thornton in a Hornets uniform.

ESPN NBA insider Chad Ford reports that the Hornets are exploring the possability of selling their 1st round draft pick.

If the franchise makes this decision it would mark the second consecutive year the Hornets have sold their pick for cash.

In 2008 the Hornets worked out a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to sell that team the 27th overall choice in the 1st round.

The Hornets have the 21st overall choice in this months NBA draft.

If the Hornets decide to keep the pick (which would be a smart move) it’s believed that Thornton could be the player the Hornets select.

More Shaq Rumors

“If Tyson Chandler was on the market in February, wouldn’t he be on it again now and wouldn’t the Suns have an interest given the type of pick-and-roll defenders they want in that role? The Hornets were looking to cut payroll last time but would adding Shaquille O’Neal in his former college state add intrigue? New Orleans may not need it with season ticket renewals reportedly already at 80 percent, a great number considering its market, the recession and the team’s first-round exit. Trade talk in general will fire up more around July 1 because of base-year compensation in contracts.” 

Arizona Republic

 

 {Fletcher’s Take: If the Hornets can get Shaq without giving up David West it would be coup!!!!!  If the center-piece to any Hornets trade with the Suns involves Tyson Chandler I think the Hornets would jump at any opportunity.  CP3, West and Shaq.  The trio would sell boat loads of tickets and win.  Now, if getting Shaq means giving up West…don’t even think about it!}

 

Nando De Colo

No…I didn’t close my eyes and type on the keyboard.

Nando De Colo is a persons name.

Nando De Colo is actually a guy Hornets fans may want to remember.

Nando De Colo could be the 21st overall pick in the 1st round of the 2009 NBA draft.

So, who is Nando De Colo?  He’s a 6′5 combo guard from France.

To Read more about De Colo click on the article below.

http://www.nbadraft.net/decolointerview.htm

To see De Colo in action check out the youtube clip below.

 

Look, I think the player the Hornets should draft with the 21st overall pick next month is University of North Carolina power forward Tyler Hansbrough.  I think the Hornets need front court help and Hansbrough is a perfect fit behind David West.  Hansbrough is a seasoned, mature college player who’s tough and hustles.  Even Byron Scott would seemingly like this guy…and Scott doesn’t care for rookies.     

But, if the Hornets pass on Hansbrough (and LSU sharp shooter Marcus Thornton) then maybe they make an inspired move and draft De Colo….who knows…..maybe he’ll become the next Manu Ginobili.

Great Article About Tim Floyd

A man of character
by Paul Shirley / May 26, 2009

  For most people, the name Tim Floyd doesn’t evoke any particular image. In their minds, he performs a meaningless task – head basketball coach – at a college – USC – that’s not even well-known for having a basketball program. Therefore, his is just another name and he is just another overpaid coach who may or may not be guilty of paying a young man to play basketball.

I’m writing to make an appeal to those people. I want them to know that Tim Floyd is not just another forgettable basketball coach. He happens to be a very good basketball coach, but that’s not the point, and that’s not why you should care what happens to him. You should care for this reason: In a world that sees fewer of them with each passing year, Tim Floyd is a good man.

 

I played for Coach Floyd at Iowa State. I was no hotly-pursued recruit; the closest thing to a scandal during my senior year of high school was the coach at Navy telling me I’d never amount to anything if I didn’t play for him. Coach Floyd learned about me through an old assistant of his when I turned down that coach’s employer, the University of North Dakota. (That they didn’t know where the roads were buried under the snow in winter did not help that school’s case.) Floyd became interested in my basketball abilities late in the year, though, and by the time we made contact, he had given away his last scholarship.

http://hoopshype.com/columns/floyd_shirley.htm

{Fletcher’s Take: Tim Floyd of course coached the UNO Privateers and the New Orleans Hornets.  I always though Floyd was a good man and a tremendous coach.  I though he got a raw deal from George Shinn when the Hornets fired him and that he should have gotten more time to build an NBA team.  I remember two games (at home vs. the Pacers and on the road vs. the Pistons) during the 2003-2004 season where he drew up amazing plays coming out of a time outs.  I wish Floyd the best and hope the shaddy characters associated with OJ Mayo don’t drag his name through the mud too much.}